By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police are asking for the public’s help finding a person of interest in multiple purposely set fires. According to Bloomington police Facebook, The Bloomington Police Department and Bloomington Fire Department responded to four separate fire scenes across the far west side of Bloomington along W. Market and W. Washington, In each incident…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – In an effort to prevent crime and protect officers the Normal Police Department is getting new equipment. The police department was awarded $500,000 in a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant. The purpose of the grant is to help with community development and crime prevention. Some items had to be…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police officers were justified when they shot another person in late March, the state’s attorney announced Wednesday. In a news release, the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office and Bloomington Police released an initial report regarding the March 30 shooting at the Turnberry Square Apartments. “The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office finds the course of actions…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder has identified the victim of a deadly Sunday car crash. According to a Bloomington police Facebook post, 39-year-old Kudeidrea L. Stewart died from head injuries as a result of a collision between two SUVs. “I want to give my sincerest condolences to the family and friends…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a swatting incident after fake gun threats were reported against Bloomington schools Thursday. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers were notified of a threat of gun violence against an unspecified Bloomington school at approximately 6:45 a.m. Officers responded to all Bloomington schools over the course of…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department reported the total number of DUI arrests made over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers actively patrolled for impaired drivers from March 17 to March 19. Officers arrested seven impaired drivers. One of the arrests was made after a crash caused…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police are seeing an increase in road rage. There are a lot of angry drivers across the state, but especially in the Chicago area where road rage is tied to quite a few expressway shootings said ISP Trooper Jayme Bufford. “If other drivers are following too closely or…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A juvenile has been charged with threatening family members with a firearm on Friday. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers were called to the 800 block of East Douglas St. for gun threats. After speaking with the juvenile male, an arrest was attempted before he fled the scene. He…… MORE
By Neil Doyle and WMBD-TV NORMAL – Two people were injured after a shooting Monday night on the north side of Normal. The incident happened in the 700 block of Orlando Avenue at the Orlando Northbrook Estates, according to our news partner WMBD-TV. Police told WMBD-TV that two adult males were shot and transported to…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Emergency crews responded Sunday morning to a house fire on Bloomington’s east side. Firefighters were called just before 7:30 a.m. to 53 Prenzler Drive for reports of a fire on the first floor of a two-story house. The fire was located in the center of the home and was quickly…… MORE
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…